Competently executed and entertaining, chiefly due to the first-rate performances of stars Cage and MacLaine.
Guarding Tess (1994)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:30
Fresh:17
Rotten:13
Average Rating:5.5/10
Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Tess Carlisle is the widow of a former United States President. A quarrelsome older woman, she's known for her belligerent manner and her blatant disregard for protocol. For Doug Chesnic, the... Tess Carlisle is the widow of a former United States President. A quarrelsome older woman, she's known for her belligerent manner and her blatant disregard for protocol. For Doug Chesnic, the Secret Service agent assigned to the widow, standing watch over the cantankerous old lady is more than he can tolerate. After three long years as her bodyguard, Doug finally gets a new assignment. But before he's had the chance to celebrate, Tess has him brought back to her Ohio home for yet another go at being her bodyguard. Tess and Doug may be like oil and water together, but they'll soon realize that they've needed each other all along. [More]
Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Nicolas Cage, Austin Pendleton, Edward Albert
Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Nicolas Cage, Austin Pendleton, Edward Albert, James Rebhorn, Richard Griffiths
Director: Hugh Wilson
Director: Hugh Wilson
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Reviews for Guarding Tess
The film is indeed likable. But director Hugh Wilson, who co-wrote the script with Peter Torokvei, just skims the surface of potentially rich territory.
Straightforward but enjoyable comedy that sees Cage and MacLaine going at it hammer and tongs -- although not in that sense.
Cage is on best behaviour here, but he's not an especially sympathetic performer.
Mr. Cage, once again sounding mock-suave and Elvisy, makes the most of his character's fragile cool.
For the first half-hour, the tension between Cage and MacLaine makes for some truly funny moments, but then it seems as if director Hugh Wilson called a wrap too early.
When you get down to it, this film ain't much more than a corny melodrama. Still, it's a really involving, deeply sweet film that just makes you feel good.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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